All Souls Day (sometimes called ‘The Day of the Dead’ or ‘Feast of All Souls’) is a day of remembrance for those who have passed away. It follows All Saint’s Day (November 1st) – a celebration of the glories of Heaven and those in Heaven. All Souls Day is time to remember the dead and pray for those souls in purgatory who needs the prayer to help them achieve full sanctification and moral perfection and gain entrance into Heaven. (This is what I understand, from what I’ve read. I am not Catholic, so if anyone Catholic would like to add more details, please do so)

There are many customs around the world to celebrate All Souls Day. “In Mexico, relatives make garlands, wreathes and crosses of real and paper flowers of every color to place on the graves of deceased relatives the morning of All Souls. The family will spend the entire day at the cemetery. The pastor will visit the cemetery, preach and offer prayers for the dead and then bless the individual graves. “Skeleton” candy is given to the children.” (http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/religion/re0199.html)

Sugar Skulls

Often an altar is made in the home with offerings of food and flowers. It is believed that souls in Purgatory can return to earth on All Souls Day, so food is left to appease the spirits. Sometimes a door or window is left open for these souls. Marigolds and chrysanthemums are often placed on graves; the graves sprinkled with holy water, or in some places in the north-west of France, milk is poured on the graves. In Italy, they bake cookies called “Ossi di Morto,” or “Bones of the Dead” – almond-type cookies (recipe at http://www.fisheaters.com/customstimeafterpentecost12ac.html)

Religious or not, it’s a good day to remember your own mortality and remember and honour all of your ancestors. Happy All Souls’ Day!

It wasn’t very difficult to celebrate World Vegan Day, having been a vegan for the past month. I continued reading some of my vegan literature. I spoke a little to a couple friends about veganism and why make the choice of being vegan. I also made a delicious warm quinoa, mixed greens, veggies salad that was so easy. The vegan thing has taught me more about cooking and how to make simple ingredients taste delicious and be nutritious than any other time in my life. I’m creating recipes now!

Warm Veggie Quinoa Salad

Boil 1/2 cup of vegetable stock (I used part of a veg stock cube in water). Add 1/4 cup of quinoa and simmer for 15-20 minutes until quinoa has soaked up all the stock. In a frying pan sauté mushrooms in garlic and olive oil. Steam a handful of veggies – I used broccoli, asparagus and carrots, which is what I had in my fridge.

In a big bowl put a handful of spinach, arugula and sliced cucumber. Add the cooked quinoa, sauteed mushrooms, steamed vegetables. Top off with a bit of your favourite salad dressing (I used honey mustard), salt and pepper.